A disabled man and his partially-blind mother today demanded that the "#1,750 they spent on an alarm be returned by the Teesside firm who supplied it.

A disabled man and his partially-blind mother today demanded that the #1,750 they spent on an alarm be returned by the Teesside firm who supplied it.

David Wesson, 47, is on incapacity benefit from an injury he suffered to his foot at work.

He said his mother, Queenie, 85, says she has found problems in operating the alarm which they say was installed at their home by Catch Monitored Security Limited last November.

They claim they were told by the representative of the Thornaby-based company the system should cost #2,000 but he could knock it down to #1,750 because of the family's disabilities.

Mr Wesson said the firm made an unsolicited "cold-call" and when a representative called they signed up.

But when they tried to cancel the sale, they were told the "cooling-off" period had expired.

Mr Wesson, of Lingdale, said: "They used tactics talking about crime in the area, security and how the system would be monitored all the time.

"They said it would be linked to the fire, police and ambulance."

But he claimed the representative didn't tell him about the monitoring charge which would be #25 per month - #300 a year. He has since stopped paying it.

"I was very dissatisfied. My mother is partially blind and finds it very difficult to operate the system. They met her and the representative knew she was partially blind," he said.

"I was phoning repeatedly but they keep telling me the managing director was out. He didn't return any calls.

"I want my money back."

He has contacted Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council trading standards department, which is looking into the matter.

Cleveland Police crime prevention officer Gerry McBride said: "I know of at least two alarm firms which are using high pressure sales techniques using reports of crime rising in the area.

"We would urge anyone considering an alarm firm to go for one which is a member of a legitimate trading body - or ring us on 01642 301241 for free advice."

North Yorkshire Police have received a "a number of calls" from concerned residents in the Northallerton area who have been approached by Catch Monitored Security Limited in the past weeks.

A force spokesman said: "These calls concerned the selling practices of the company. We are not investigating any allegation of an offence. We have referred a number of these calls to the local trading standards department."

He added: "There is no connection between North Yorkshire Police and this alarm company - or any other company operating in the area."

No-one from Catch Monitored Security was available for comment.

The Office of Fair Trading has launched a bid to take away the company's credit licence.

The firm was last year ordered to repay #1,748 to an elderly couple who bought an alarm from it.

Durham Police named Catch Monitored Security Limited last year over alleged "high-pressure sales tactics" and "increasing the fear of crime."

Have you had dealings with Catch Monitored Securities. Ring Ron Livingstone on 01642 234258, fax the Gazette on 01642 232014 or e-mail news@eveninggazette.co.uk